Domains can operate at various functional levels: Windows 2000 mixed, Windows 2000 native, and Windows Server 2003 (which only includes domain controllers running Windows Server 2003), Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Once all domain controllers are running a newer version of Windows Server, you can raise the Domain and Forest Functionality to Windows Server by opening Active Directory Domains and Trusts, right clicking the domain for which you want to raise functionality, and then clicking Raise Domain Functional Level.
Note that once you raise the domain functional level, domain controllers running earlier operating systems cannot be introduced into the domain. For example, if you raise the domain functional level to Windows Server 2003, domain controllers running Windows 2000 Server cannot be added to that domain. However such servers can be members of the domain.
Forest functionality enables features across all the domains within your forest.
The following table describes the forest-wide features that are enabled for the corresponding forest functional level:
Forest Feature
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Windows 2000
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Windows Server 2003 & 2008
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Global catalog replication tuning
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Disabled
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Enabled
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Defunct schema objects
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Disabled
|
Enabled
|
Forest trust
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
|
Linked value replication
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
|
Domain rename
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
|
Improved replication algorithms
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
|
Dynamic auxiliary classes
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
|
InetOrgPerson objectClass change
|
Disabled
|
Enabled
| Table 3 Forest-wide Features Enabled for Corresponding Forest Functional Level
Application Compatibility
The deployment of an operating system in any organization is a very large project. Application compatibility with the new operating system is one of the most critical steps in the testing and planning phases of a successful deployment. This entails verifying that all existing software and any planned software will function correctly on the new operating system at least as well as it did on the old operating system.
The benefits of upgrading applications running on Windows Server 2000 to Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 includes all of the features of an enterprise class application server. Windows Server 2008 R2 application and web platform enhancements provide many benefits for developing applications including:
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Simplified IT management, integration and interoperability.
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Consolidation and virtualization.
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Increased efficiency and productivity.
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Scalability and better performance.
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Reduced costs and risks.
Upgrading applications from Windows Server 2000 to Windows Server 2008 R2
As you prepare to move your applications to a newer version of Windows Server, it is important to remember key steps of this process to ensure a smooth transition and minimize customers’ impact.
Migrating 3rd party packaged ISV applications -
Make an inventory of, and prioritize, applications
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Identify applications that might have a compatibility issue by verifying whether the ISV who created the application supports or has logoed the application(s) on a newer version of the operating system. (The Windows Server Catalog contains a list of all ISVs that have pledged to support their apps on Windows Server 2008 R2 as well as a list of all logoed applications)
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If an application is not supported or logoed on Windows Server 2008 R2, contact the ISV to obtain a new version of the application that runs on the new operating system or request support for your obsolete application.
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If the ISV does not support their application on newer versions of Windows Server, or if you are unable to determine the ISV’s policy, you may still assess your application's compatibility, security, stability, reliability and availability in a Windows Server 2008 R2 environment by taking advantage of Microsoft’s free self-test tools and resources listed below.
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Prepare for an application upgrade by reviewing the links and resources listed below. Ease the process by identifying and eliminating problems before upgrading.
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Upgrade and deploy with confidence.
Migrating custom applications -
Make an inventory of, and prioritize, applications.
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Download the free test tools and resources to assess your application’s compatibility on newer versions of Windows Server.
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Create a test plan for all applications that need to run on the upgraded servers.
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Empower your build/test teams with more comprehensive test scenarios based on Microsoft’s application development/testing standards and recommended upgrade practices. Test tools such as the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT Version 5.5) and Software Certification Toolkit may also be used as black-box evaluators to identify any potential compatibility issues.
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Create a remediation plan if needed to update your applications. Learn about Windows Server 2008 R2 application and web platform enhancements such as:
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Build More Flexible Web Applications: Internet Information Server 7.5, PHP optimized, ASP .NET on Server Core, Enhanced FTP and WebDAV
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Build Connected Systems: Windows Communication/Workflow Foundation, Windows Process Activation Service, Microsoft Message Queue
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Build Scalable Applications: Support for up to 256 logical processors, NUMA support, Thread Pool, Thread Ordering Service
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Leverage Virtualization: Hyper-V with Live Migration
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Extend File System: File Class. Infra.
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Design Highly Manageable Applications: Microsoft Management Console, Windows PowerShell™ 2.0, Windows Task Scheduler, Windows Eventing, Windows Installer, ClickOnce
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Develop Federation-Aware Applications: Active Directory Federation Services, Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services, Windows Authorization Manager
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Develop more reliable applications: Application Recovery and Restart, Restart Manager, Transactional NTFS, Transactional Registry
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Prepare for an application upgrade by reviewing the links and resources listed below.
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Upgrade and deploy with confidence.
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